Improvement in barbed-wire fences



w. WATKINS & H. B.S6UTT,

Barbed wm Fence.

Patented June1,1875.

Menarv ACEJLY.

STATES WILLIAM WATKINS AND HIRAM B. SOUTT, OF JOLIET, ILLINOIS.

IMPROVEMENT IN BARBED-WIRE FENCES.

Specifioatiolf'forming part of Letters Patent No. 1 63,955, dated J one 1, 1875; application filed November 27, 1874.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that we, WILLIAM WATKINS and HIRAM B. SoUTT, of the city of J oliet, in WVill county and State of Illinois, have invented certain Improvements in Fences, of

- which the following is a specification:

Our invention consists of a twisted-metal cable-rod provided with metal barbs or points passing entirely through at short intervals and sharp at both ends, which twisted metal strip is entwined around the wire rods of the fence for the purpose of turning stock, the construction and operation of which we will proceed to explain, reference being bad to the annexed drawings and letters of reference thereon making a part of this specification, in which- Figure 1 is a perspective view of the fence with the twisted barbed rod attached; Fig. 2, a perspective view of one of the fenceposts; Fig. 3 a perspective view of the metal plates or feet of the posts; and Fig. 4, a crosssectional view of the twisted metal barbed rod.

Referring to the drawings, a, Fig. 1, represents the twisted barbed rod applied to one of the. wire bars r of the fence. The barbs or points 2 pass entirely through the rod a, and are sharpened at both ends, as shown in Fig. 4.

By twisting the rod a around the wire bar r of the fence, as shown in Fig. 1, the points or barbs z are caused to point in every direction, as shown in Fig. 1, so it is impossible for stock to press against the fence without encountering some of them. This rod to may be secured at either end to the wire rod r by means of being wired to it, or any other IllitllIlGI'.

The twisted metal rod a may be of any convenient length, shape, or size, and may be applied to any or all of the wire bars of the fence, as desired.

The entire fence is intended to be constructed of metal. I

The permanent scratch-posts c c are furnished with metal feet a a, through which they pass, as shown, into the ground below as any ordinary post. These feet a are intended to keep the posts from leaning over from what ever cause. The feet a are provided with prongs c c at each lower corner, which enter into the ground, and prevent their sliding on the surface of the ground. 0 0 are braces, to brace the posts 0, to support the strain of the wire bars 1", and are secured at the foot by pins 19, which pass down through the footplate a and brace 0 into the earth below to give greater firmness to all. c, Fig. 1, is an intervening post, through which the wires r pass for support, as shown. This post is constructed of metal by bending a rod of metal double, and leaving holes between the legs for the wires r of the fence to pass, as shown. This intervening post may be constructed as shown in Fig. 2, and have the wires r pass through notches m on the side, and held by the wire t.

The posts may all be hollow or solid, as desired.

The intervening post 0 is furnished with a foot-plate, or, similar to the others, which is likewise held down more firmly by pins 12 passing through, as shown.

This fence is intended more particularly for railroads and farm-fences; but the twisted barbed rod a may be applied to the wires of any common wire fence in lengths suited to the lengths of the panels.

We are aware that sharp points or barbs have been used by being driven into a strip of wood, but never as passing entirely through, and sharp at either end; nor in a metallic rod twisted around a wire for its support, as in this case. We do not, therefore, claim to have invented the single barb or point driven in or through a piece of wood or metal with but one end sharp or projecting.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new, and desire to secure by Letters Patent, is as follows:

The attachment of wire fences herein described, consisting of wire encircling-strip a, formed of spiral metal, and having barbs z projectingthrough the sides thereof, constructed as and for the purposes described.

WILLIAM WATKINS. HIRAM B. SOUTT. Witnesses:

Tnos. H. HUTcHINs, THos. 1 FORD. 

